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11, 2019
Sign surrounded by beautiful lights
greets drivers into campground.
Drive-thru light tunnel welcomes guests
into the park.
An eye-catching arch of lights attracts
guests to Southwest Territory, near the
Giant Drop, on the night of Dec. 1.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” -Gandhi
Kemper Center transforms old school into
magical 1860s themed Christmas display
Kaden West
Staff Writer
Downtown Kenosha has been get-
ting into the Christmas spirit through the
Kemper Center. Volunteers have come
together in order to reimage the Durkee
Mansion into a Christmas wonderland.
Volunteers have decorated the mansion
in an 1860s fashion to stay true to his-
tory, creating toys and ornaments simi-
lar to those made when the mansion was
built.
“I learned to repurpose and recycle a
lot of items,” said volunteer Mary Wirch.
The volunteers involved in the deco-
rating of the mansion work the whole
year in order to find material to hand
make the ornaments. There are several
breath-taking rooms all fully decorat-
ed with unique knick knacks that you
wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.
“You could go through the room 20
The Pulse Dec.
Beloved campground offers
drive-thru light show, family fun
Brianna King
Staff Writer
Only 30 minutes northwest of Kenosha, the Christmas Carnival
of Lights in Caledonia aims to dazzle and bring happiness to all of
those who attend. With over a mile of more than 2 million beautiful
lights to drive through, Jellystone Park Camp Resort offers visitors Hanging lights create a picture perfect
another way to celebrate the holiday season. spot for families.
The park opened on Nov. 30 and runs through Dec. 29. Visitor
hours are from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5
p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The cost is $20 per carload on
weekdays and $25 on weekends.
During late October and November the campground transforms
from a typical camping park into a winter wonderland of dancing
lights. The Randy and Theresa Isaacson family owns and operates
the park, with the help of key employees. The family hosted its first
light show back in 2009, and the event has grown every year since.
“I love bringing my family here every year. It never gets old,
and it’s become one of our favorite Christmas traditions,” Michelle
Wurtzinger, an annual visitor of the park, said.
From lights that dance to music, hot cocoa, and a picture with
Santa, families come from near and far to experience the magic and Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a snowman wave
holiday cheer that the Christmas Carnival of Lights spreads. hello to visitors.
Photos by Brianna King
Six Flags Great America becomes
winter wonderland for holidays
Boden Sack
Staff Writer
Holiday in the Park, by Six Flags Great America, has year two in
the works with fun for all ages. Six Flags transformed the amuse-
ment park that typically emphasizes rides into a holiday Disneyland-
like theme park, with special attractions like the tree lighting in
hometown square.
Returning this year is the show Wonderland At The Grand, a spec-
tacular show for all ages. With the inclusion of singing, dancing,
special effects, pyrotechnics and incredible costumes, the show is
a must see for park goers. Singing holiday classics throughout the
show, Wonderland At The Grand is a perfect sing-along opportunity
for any age. Park goers call the show “fun to watch” and “visually
pleasing.”
Six Flags put many hours into the setup of lighted sculptures that
can be found around the park. Six Flags provides dozens of photo
Stephanie Simon, an actress in the musi-
cal Wonderland at the Grand, performs
opportunities with these sculptures and much more including extrav-
in Hometown Square with her powerful agantly lit pathways and holiday characters such as the Ice Queen,
vocals. Photos by Autumn Stout Santa, Santa’s reindeer, elves and more.
The park is open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturdays, Dec. 14, 21
and 28 and on Sundays, Dec. 22 and 29. On Sunday, Dec. 15, hours
are 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The park is also open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dec.
23, 26, and 27; and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 30 and 31.
Kemper Center
volunteers
spend months
prepping
for the holi-
day season,
incudling creat-
ing handmade
times and find something new every
ornaments.
time,” said volunteer Robin Ingrouille.
The volunteers are interested in visi-
tors coming to the mansion,not only for
the scenery, but also to learn about the
Durkee Mansion’s history. There are po-
diums outside of the rooms giving a brief
history about the mansion and those who
Decorations
lived in it.
were made to
“It’s a very good historical location,” emulate Victo-
said volunteer Julie Iorio. rian era style
For those interested in learning a bit
Photos by Kaden West
in order to stay
more about Kenosha as well as viewing true to when
unique Christmas scenery, the Christmas the Durkee
at Kemper event is the place to be. Enjoy Mansion was
some cocoa, buy some raffle tickets for lived in.
the fundraiser, and support local artists
down at the Kemper Center. The event
ends this weekend and the mansion
hours are from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. both
Saturday and Sunday.